Archive for the 'Grant Lee Buffalo' Tag Under 'Soundcheck' Category

Before Toad the Wet Sprocket started its insanely catchy current single “New Constellation” on Sunday night at the Observatory, singer/guitarist Glen Phillips wondered whether anyone in the audience had obtained the upcoming companion album early through Kickstarter.

Several hands went up. Then he asked, “Was it worth it?” to many cheers.

The popular Santa Barbara rock band used the crowd-funding site for its first all-original studio effort since 1997. Fans’ pent-up demand for fresh music helped surpass the goal amount (more than 500 percent) in a mere 20 hours.

All four musicians began touring again on a semi-regular basis in 2006. A few years later, bassist Dean Dinning told me everyone was raring to make music again, but were waiting for Phillips’ availability.

Arctic Monkeys: On Monday, they announced the release of their fifth album, AM, on Sept. 10, featuring a cameo from band buddy Josh Homme, among others. On Tuesday, the tireless Brits revealed their first (brief) tour itinerary to support it, including a Sept. 27 stop at Oakland's Fox Theater and two nights, Sept. 29-30, at the Wiltern in Los Angeles, just before they head to the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Tickets, $37.50, go on sale Saturday, June 29, at 10 a.m.

The Avett Brothers: The acclaimed North Carolinians already have a follow-up to last year's The Carpenter in the works, due sometime this fall – probably close to when they headline the Shrine Auditorium on Oct. 9. Nicholas David opens, $39.50-$49.50, on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Also catch the Avetts Oct. 10 at Santa Barbara Bowl, $40-$46, on sale Saturday at noon.

Dwight Yoakam: The country maverick, last spotted at Stagecoach, promises "we are going to turn it into the rockin'est honky tonk on Sunset Blvd" when he returns Sept. 6 to headline the Hollywood Palladium on his tour behind last year's celebrated album 3 Pears. Another Stagecoach attraction, buzz band the Lone Bellow, will open. Tickets, $45, are on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

The Polyphonic Spree: Tim DeLaughter and his sprawling Texan ensemble have finally readied something new, Yes, It's True, their first proper album in six years. The group will ramp up its Aug. 6 release with two local dates, Aug. 20 at the Observatory in Santa Ana, $18, and Aug. 22 at L.A.'s El Rey Theatre, $22, on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.